The Wishing Well

Chapter 2

Olivia began having nightmares about the well. She dreamed that hands came up out of it to grab her, with Shanna often standing in the background. Olivia would call to her for help while she struggled, but it did no good. Shanna just smiled and played with that coin, while she watched the new girl be dragged underneath. Olivia would wake with a start, and resolve passionately never to go for a walk again. But it was just a daydream: Even though she wanted to stay inside the house forever, she couldn’t.

Though when she asked herself why she couldn't, no answer came. On the surface, there was nothing to stop her. Mom worked late almost every day, so Olivia killed time by picking music out of the keyboard. She did homework and stared out the window, gazing at the front yard and wishing that it would change just a little. Perhaps that leaf could be blown across the lawn. Or maybe a squirrel would crawl up that tree. Nothing ever happened.

Olivia went to her mother's bookshelf, working through thick books that took time to finish. Nobody had read these volumes in years, so they smelled of the past—and the old house she missed so much. Sometimes she found herself speaking to the collection of plush giraffes above her bed. Her favorite colors were green and purple, so she sorted through her clothes to see which of the two she had most of.

One morning Olivia realized the things she spent her time on, and grudgingly acknowledged her need for fresh air. She didn't make any problems a week later, when it was time to go meet her new classmates.

The homeschoolers who didn't study at home.

She paced slowly down the sidewalk, noting with dismay that the wishing well hadn't moved from its spot. Olivia sighed, then wondered why she thought it might vanish. Perhaps it was a feeble attempt to convince herself of her own safety, and that the nightmares were just that—dreams, to end when she woke up. It might be a desire for the wishing well to leave town, so that she didn't have to—coming up with escape plans was such a bother! Olivia eyed the well, prepared to run if something lunged at her from inside; when it didn't happen, she ran in the direction of the schoolhouse.

Olivia took a deep breath and peered inside, expecting nothing but the usual silence that filled the air here. Instead, her ears perked up at the sound of voices, laughing and deep in conversation. For weeks, she had felt as if she were only soul within a mile, but now it was clearly not the case. There was life here; they probably just didn't like coming out much. She stepped inside and took a look around. Even though she heard their voices earlier, Olivia was surprised to actually find people here. Perhaps she expected the voices to be ghosts, and nothing more. In reality, the place was full of life, and the contrast took her aback.

It was uncharacteristic of the place. This couldn't be the same community—it couldn't even be the same city. It had to be a totally different world, because it was too good to be true!

As the door swung shut behind her, all the voices inside the building fell silent. One would think that the spirits had hurried back to the grave when they saw her come in. Olivia felt very small, and tried to think of an appropriate greeting, but only managed a shy smile. When they kept watching in silence, as if expecting something more, she found her voice and croaked, “Hi.”

Crash— in her imagination, she heard the ice in the air shatter. Funny what one simple word could do. After Olivia broke the silence, the others appeared to wake up. They stirred in their seats, and few of them even smiled. Only one spoke, though, the girl with long blonde hair. She appeared to be no older than Olivia, and radiated some form of kindness with her warm blue eyes. “Hello,” she greeted her with a smile. “You're new.”

Olivia felt rooted to the spot like an idiot. “Uh, yeah,” she stuttered. “I'm...new.” I sound so dumb!

If the girl noticed, she kindly ignored it. “Where are you from?” Her smile did not fade.